A former senior Police officer in Samoa is in custody after allegedly being charged with criminal libel over statements he made against a former assistant police commissioner on a local television station.
Lawyer Faualo Harry Schuster confirmed his client Paepaetele Ernest Junior was apprehended and charged with criminal libel, and has been in custody since last Saturday.
Paepaetele is charged in relation to statements he made on EFKSTV2, pursuant to section 117 (a) of the Crimes Act.
The former officer accused Nafoitoa Talaimanu Keti of serious misconduct while serving as a law enforcement officer. He claimed that Nafoitoa raped a woman but was never charged.
Nafoitoa left the force in 2016 to contest the Gagaemauga 3 seat which he won and served in Parliament as Deputy Speaker. He is again contesting the seat in Friday’s general elections.
Defense attorney Faualo said he will move to have his client released on bail until his hearing.
Nafoitoa has said he will be filing a civil suit against the former police officer and the television station owned by the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa.
